Basically every nation in the group still has a chance to qualify from this group. However, in reality Australia’s chances of going through are extremely thin.

Australia - Serbia.

 Australia need to win today and hope Germany lose (although theoretically they can still go through if they score a lot of goals but let’s not get into mathematical permutations). Harry Kewell was sent off in their last game and they drew the match but the 10 men on the pitch did play better than Ghana in my view as they missed some great chances. In fact, Wilkshere missed a sitter. Australia will head into the match hoping for the best, while the coach should field the only striker in the squad, Josh Kennedy. The absence of his best player Kewell is not easily replaced. They may not less competitive than Serbia but team morale is certainly lower. The head coach still insists on using Valeri in the middle of the pitch. Regular midfielder Grella is injured, while key defender Moore is suspended. Either Milligan or Chipperfield will replace him depending on whether there are changes to the defensive line-up.

 Serbia did very well when they used a 4-5-1 formation to successfully block out the Germans, while the expulsion of Klose (correct decision to the letter of the law) opened the way for them to win the match. A win today guarantees qualification but a draw would leave them relying on the result of the other match which is to be played at the same time. They will be out if they draw and Germany win 1-0, while if the Serbs draw 1-1 or 0-0 it will be Ghana to go through. But a 2-2 draw would see them through. If Ghana score but still lose then Serbia will need 3 or more goals or to win the match. Nevertheless, they do not have any absentee concerns and are likely to field the same team that fronted the Germans. Given they need to win the match I see them playing with 2 men in attack.

Probable Line-ups:

Australia (4-3-3): Schwarzer - Wilkshire, Neill, Milligan, Carney - Emerton, Culina, Valeri - Cahill, Bresciano, Holman (Kennedy)
Serbia (4-4-2): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Subotic, Kolarov - Krasic, Stankovic, Kuzmanovic, Jovanovic - Zigic, Lazovic


Selection: Australia still has plenty on offer to show at this World Cup but they have been hampered by sending offs. I also believe the organisers will want the remaining African team in the competition to go through to the next round. Serbia need to go for broke today and for that reason I am going to take a risk on an Australian WIN.